Qualified Teachers

Qualified Teachers

For people to learn to meditate correctly and apply Buddha’s teachings to their lives they need qualified Teachers. For this reason, Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche emphasized training Teachers of many nationalities.

The Teacher Training Program is an essential part of the three core study programs and is available at many centers around the world
In addition there is the Special Teacher Training Program taught by the General Spiritual Director and an Intensive Teacher Training Program taught annually by Gen-la Kelsang Khyenrab.

Latest Updates

Intensive Teacher Training Program 2023 – sharing a special dream

Over 40 people from around the world sharing a common dream to become a qualified Teacher of modern Kadampa Buddhism gathered last night in the North Wing Meditation Room at Manjushri KMC with Gen-la Kelsang Khyenrab.

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Intensive Teacher Training Program 2023

‘Buddha’s teachings are beneficial to others only if there are qualified Teachers.’
Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche

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Preparations for Intensive Teacher Training Program 2023

This year over 40 fortunate Kadampas from all over the world will gather here for six months for the bi-annual Intensive Teacher Training Program with Gen-la Khyenrab.

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Why training qualified Kadampa Teachers is so important

For the last three weeks in the run up to the 2022 Summer Festival, Manjushri KMC has been abuzz with almost 200 Resident Teachers from around the world studying on the Intensive Teacher Training Program.

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Teachers gather for special training

Almost 200 Resident Teachers have gathered at Manjushri KMC for the Intensive Teacher Training Program 2022 with Gen-la Kelsang Khyenrab, retired General Spiritual Director of NKT-IKBU.

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An intensive program for the Teachers

The Intensive Teacher Training Program is called ‘intensive’ for a reason. For three weeks, the Teachers follow a rigorous 6-day a week schedule of teachings, teaching skills, discussion, memorisation and prayers. Venerable Geshe-la has designed this special program to give Resident Teachers from the  centers around the world the opportunity to engage in intensive in-service training. 

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Qualified Teachers for the modern world

FOUNDER & SPIRITUAL GUIDE

Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche has transmitted all the essential teachings and practices of Modern Kadampa Buddhism to his students and provided training and support for hundreds of modern Teachers to carry this living lineage into future generations

Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche

GEN-LAs ~ SENIOR TEACHERS

Gen-la Dekyong is the General Spiritual Director of the New Kadampa Tradition - International Kadampa Buddhist Union. She studied and practiced for many years with her Spiritual Guide Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche, from whom she received many transmissions.

As the most senior teacher in the tradition Gen-la teaches throughout the world at major events. She is a fully qualified teacher of both Sutra and Tantra and is greatly admired and deeply loved by thousands of people worldwide. Her teachings are profound and inspiring, and yet always extremely practical. 

Gen-la Kelsang Dekyong

Gen-la Kelsang Jampa is the Deputy Spiritual Director of NKT-IKBU and the Resident Teacher at IKRC Grand Canyon.

He has studied under Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche and taught internationally for many years and is greatly admired for his warm personality and clear, inspiring teachings.

Gen-la Kelsang Jampa

Gen-la Kelsang Khyenrab is a retired General Spiritual Director of NKT-IKBU and National Spiritual Director of Canada and the Resident Teacher at Tara IKRC.

Gen-la Khyenrab is deeply respected throughout the Kadampa world as a sincere practitioner and powerful teacher.

Gen-la Kelsang Khyenrab

Gen-la Kelsang Kunsang is a retired Deputy Spiritual Director of NKT-IKBU, National Spiritual Director of Switzerland, Italy & Austria & South Africa and Resident Teacher at Madhyamaka KMC in Yorkshire.

She has been a disciple of Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche for many years, during which time she has won the admiration and affection of many students through her pure example and loving kindness.

Gen-la Kelsang Kunsang

Gen-la Kelsang Thubten is the International Kadampa Internet Director.

He has been a disciple of Venerable Geshe-la for over 40 years. He is renowned for his ability to present the many deep meanings contained within Venerable Geshe-la’s books and show how to integrate them into daily life.

Gen-la Kelsang Thubten

NATIONAL SPIRITUAL DIRECTORS

National Spiritual Director of Germany, Slovenia, Romania & Czech Republic

Gen Kelsang Ananda

National Spiritual Director of France

Gen Kelsang Eupamé

National Spiritual Director of Australasia & South East Asia

Gen Kelsang Rabten

National Spiritual Director of Eastern USA

Kadam Morten Clausen

National Spiritual Director of Hong Kong, Taiwan & Philippines

Gen Kelsang Tonglam

National Spiritual Director of Mexico, Nicaragua, Colombia, Peru & Chile

Gen Kelsang Sangden

National Spiritual Director of Spain & Portugal

Gen Kelsang Chokga

National Spiritual Director of Midwest USA

Gen Kelsang Demo

National Spiritual Director of Nordic Region

Gen Kelsang Dragpa

National Spiritual Director of Brazil

Gen Kelsang Mudita

National Spiritual Director of Western USA 

Gen Kelsang Rigpa

National Spiritual Director of Argentina & Uruguay 

Gen Kelsang Rinchung

National Spiritual Director of UK & Ireland

Kadam Bridget Heyes

Resident Teachers Worldwide

Training qualified Teachers

Those wishing to become Teachers of Modern Kadampa Buddhism train on the Teacher Training Program, one of the three study programs developed by Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche.

There is also a six-month Intensive Teacher Training Program and ongoing in-service training through the International Teacher Training Program and Special Teacher Training Program.

The Lineage of Modern Kadampa Buddhism

Je Tsongkhapa 4_transparent

In the word 'Kadampa', ‘Ka’ refers to Buddha’s teachings and ‘dam’ refers to Atisha’s instructions on Lamrim (the Stages of the Path to Enlightenment, also known as Kadam Lamrim). ‘Kadam’ therefore refers to the union of Buddha’s teachings and Atisha’s instructions, and sincere practitioners of Kadam Lamrim are called ‘Kadampas’.

There are two Kadampa traditions, the ancient and the new. Practitioners of the ancient Kadampa tradition appeared to emphasize the practice of Kadam Lamrim of Sutra more than the practice of Tantra. Later, Je Tsongkhapa and his disciples emphasized the practice of Kadam Lamrim of both Sutra and Tantra equally. This new tradition founded by Je Tsongkhapa is called the new Kadampa tradition.

After Je Tsongkhapa, the New Kadampa lineage flourished for hundreds of years, reaching the present day through immensely pure lineage Gurus such as Je Phabongkhapa and Vajradhara Trijang Rinpoche.

In recent years, this precious lineage has been preserved and promoted throughout the world by the contemporary Buddhist Master, Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche, the present day lineage holder.

The dawn of modern Kadampa Buddhism
In 1981 Venerable Geshe-la's Spiritual Guide, Vajradhara Trijang Rinpoche, encouraged him to develop a new presentation of Kadampa Buddhism for the modern world that everyone throughout the world could easily understand and practice. Thus, Modern Kadampa Buddhism was born.

Since that time Venerable Geshe-la has worked tirelessly to develop and promote the precious gift of Modern Kadampa Buddhism. This new presentation faithfully preserves the original meanings of the lineage of Kadampa Buddhism all the way back to Buddha himself while presenting them in a contemporary and easily  accessible way.

Above all it is an international presentation open to everyone, not anchored in any specific country or culture.

Buddha Shakyamuni
Je Tsongkhapa
Trijang Rinpoche
Atisha
Phabongkha Rinpoche
Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche